The verses referencing “in the fullness of time” are primarily found in
- Galatians 4:4–7. This passage highlights God’s perfect timing in sending Jesus to fulfill His redemptive plan for humanity. and
- Ephesians 1:10. This verse speaks to a divine administration or plan to unite all things under Christ at the appointed time.
The phrase “fullness of time” refers to the:
- opportune moment, or
- a time filled with meaning and purpose,
rather than just a chronological point. It signifies that God waits to act until the precise moment when conditions are perfectly right for His purposes, such as the coming of Christ to redeem humanity. Are we there? Every day brings us closer to the fulness of time. In the light of this, we share with you specially for this month, When the King Is in the Field: A Season of Return (Adapted from the Israel Bible Center)
As we start this month of September, please ponder the content of this article, and the significance of this time as it relates to your walk with God. Maranatha!!!
“The Hebrew month of Elul has already begun—the final month of the biblical year, rich with meaning and preparation. Elul is the season of teshuvah (תשובה), “return.” It is a time to turn back to God, to mend relationships, and to search our hearts in the quiet before the shofar sounds on Rosh Hashanah.
Rosh Hashanah (literally “Head of the Year”) is the biblical New Year. Unlike the festive celebrations of the secular new year, it carries a spiritual weight:
- Reflection,
- Repentance, and
- Renewal in the presence of God.
The ancient sages described Elul with a beautiful image: “the King is in the field.” It is a picture of God stepping out of His royal palace, walking among His people, and welcoming anyone who wishes to draw near.
While Elul is not named in Scripture, its themes echo across the Bible viz:
- The forty days from the start of Elul to Yom Kippur are traditionally understood to correspond to the forty days Moses spent on Mount Sinai after Israel’s sin with the Golden Calf (Exodus 34). These were days of pleading, repentance, and ultimately, mercy, when God revealed Himself as “compassionate and gracious… abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.” (Exodus 34:6)
- David’s cry in Psalm 27, traditionally read throughout Elul, captures the heart of the season: “One thing I have asked of the LORD, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life…” (Psalm 27:4).
- Elul can also remind us of our own call: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17). The “return” of teshuvah is not just turning away from sin but also turning toward the One who redeems.
A Season of Preparation, Elul invites us to slow down, examine our hearts, and realign our lives with God’s ways. It is a reminder that repentance is not punishment, but privilege, an open door to restoration, given by a God who draws near.”
The questions for reflection:
- What in my life needs to “return” to God?
- Who do I need to reconcile with before this new season begins?
- How can I prepare my heart to hear the shofar as a personal call to awaken?
Selah
Pastor Afolabi Oladele
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